New federal loan limits will worsen America’s nursing shortage and leave patients waiting longer for care

The 2025 tax and spending law lowers the federal loan borrowing limits for nursing students, raising the up-front costs of nursing school.

By: Kymberlee Montgomery, Drexel University and Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow, Duquesne University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 7, 2026

Words: 1,288

Last Updated: 2 days, 7 hours ago

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By Kymberlee Montgomery, Drexel University and Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow, Duquesne University

There is growing need for nurses in the United States – but not enough nurses currently working, or students training to become nurses, to promptly see all of the patients who need medical care.

Tens of thousands of nurses have left practice since the pandemic, and many more plan to leave within a few years, according to the 2024 National …

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